Его не звали, но он приперся / They never called, yet he is here: Глава 26

Chapter 26

Camrad_RIP 16.10.22 в 17:27

Have you ever tried ballet dancing? No, not like that. Have you ever tried dancing ballet while wearing a diving suit and scuba diving in a pool of liquid nitrogen suspended in weightlessness in the middle of outer space? Approximately such feelings were experienced by your humble me, trying not to kill myself, my involuntary ward, or the nearest surrounding territories. The latter, as well as the inhabitants of this territory, undoubtedly were not the most pleasant representatives of the human race, and I was not against reducing their number. Alas, but mass cataclysm with breakthroughs of Dreams into reality and mama-born-me-back versus horrors of those breakthroughs I could only pull off by arranging epic self-sacrifice in paroxysms of the purest pathos.

Camrad_RIP 17.10.22 в 18:44

To be frank, I'm generally against such dumb and clichéd bullshit as the self-sacrifice of a Hero, and I'm even more against such a sacrifice for a total stranger. No, this concentration camp brothel-type victim's tits are quite nice, as are her looks and everything else. But here, as they say, Kostik gets nothing. And his "other I.P." named Kickass gets nothing even more so. So, he had to clench his teeth, clench his fists and squeeze his buns, squirming his brains in an attempt to survive himself, save all the good guys, punish all the bad guys, and all this without leaving the image of a drunken goblin. Trivialities of life, really.

Camrad_RIP 19.10.22 в 17:40

Initially, I was in an advantageous position, because I had time to spare... well, not a lot, but I had it. Dream, who had broken through to reality, had not only made a dead Slavemancer a meat glove for my interactions with Reality but had also messed up the defense systems. A Dream is not a Shadow, a breakthrough that can only be ignored deliberately. Even in concentrated concentrations, it hardly ever detects the sensory skills, often deceiving them, or even reassigning them to itself. A very, very insidious force, as shaky as it is frightening. Right now it played into my hands, and into the pouting elf who was in no hurry to break the connection with the real world, using the bridge I'd created.

Camrad_RIP 19.10.22 в 18:33

Not only have the body and soul of the slavemancer become my proxy, but it even manages to be counted by the defense as a living and healthy specimen of a high-ranking sorz. As soon as I leave the dream-filled room, I will be immediately identified and attacked: it is difficult not to suspect a trick when, instead of a human being, you see a gaunt, barely humanoid-looking chupacabra. Fortunately, the time I'd already mentioned would allow me some time to prepare and even try to make myself look better. As far as that will be possible at all. Well, as long as there's a chance, it's a good time to get my coolest skill up and running, entertaining myself and pissing others off.

Camrad_RIP 19.10.22 в 18:34

"Hey, las, do you have any idea where we are or how many people are here?" The Goblin accent was becoming easier and more natural with each breath, and I was slowly getting used to the workload. "And where is the booze in here?"

Camrad_RIP 19.10.22 в 18:35

I don't just talk, but I put the smallest bit of Dream in my voice. Not enough for my voice to be a **voice, but enough so that even with her ears sealed with wax, the elf could hear me. I didn't use the full voice, simply because the ears' brains were already struggling, and that was solely due to the steely will of the girl's personality, which was on the verge of disintegration. If I pressed her even a little bit... I don't know what would happen. Maybe she would react calmly, maybe she would cackle with horror, or maybe she would just die - clairvoyance showed all three options with equal probability.

Camrad_RIP 19.10.22 в 18:37

The slave, who was unsuccessful brainwashed (or was she successful), flinched, involuntarily touching the elves' trademark hearing organs with her fingers, but she pulled herself together quickly. Apparently, she was getting used to my presence and the tricks I was pulling.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 09:33

"They moved me between rooms either with a bag over my head, or by putting me to sleep, or in a mood in which I could no longer remember the way. I wouldn't risk taking on the role of guide in such a state." The smooth and calm voice suggested some kind of battle meditation. "The beverage stand was hidden behind the picture of the knight."

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:27

She avoided even looking in my direction, but she did manage to point her finger toward the right picture. The puppet's movements were too stiff and jerky, but at least I wasn't falling anymore. I walk straight toward the painting. I slide it aside and allow myself to see the rows of expensive glass bottles with far more expensive contents. I bet some of that booze will give a good buff, but I couldn't check it out, because the real body was far away.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:29

As a separate topic, we can consider the old Seer, who won't let up and is working his ass off at this point. He is stabilizing the flow of the Dream that comes through the mirror, even if he can't keep it up for long. I can do it myself, and I can do it faster and better. But I have enough to do, so I accept his help silently and without questions. Anyway, I'm working for him with all this crap. Let him work, and I'm better to use the concentration freed up for a possible battle. Speaking of elves with a father complex!

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:34

**What are you... Planning on it? I can't. Hold the flow. Not for long.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:35

The images are broken, jerky, heavy. It's even harder for him than it is for me - his class isn't designed for direct control of realm energy, and neither are the relevant skills. This kind of strain is not typical for, in fact, a pure scout and visionary, and therefore he is in a lot of pain and a lot of fear. He wouldn't "be" here at all right now, too close to me and to Gresa, but then he would leave his daughter alone with me. And he trusts me just as I trust earthly politicians. Not very much, to put it mildly.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:37

**Relax! Kickass works on booze like gnome cars on... What the hell is it called? Guel?

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:38

The images I was sending didn't stop me from growing a huge mouth on the puppet's face, where it used to be, into which I began pouring one bottle after another. I was not doing it for fun, and I could not fill this body with any drink, but to test a theory. If it worked, I would have one more trump card, as a last resort.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:42

After the twentieth bottle, I decided that further elimination of the vintage alcohol would not do any good, so I discarded the twenty-first bottle and approached the mirror with a sharp jerk. My movement-now quick and nimble-not only horrified the captive, but also the Seer, reflected in the peculiar portal.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:43

"Find me the image of the patsy I killed." I either ask or command the elf. "Find and stub... shalibi... ...fuckin'... Stabilize. Damn words! Why can't you make up such words so that Kickass can say them properly?"

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:46

I didn't send any images, limiting myself to words, while painlessly but firmly taking control of the breach to another realm. The elf himself did not react to another portion of the humiliating speech, as well as to the demonstration of my superiority, silently proceeded to the task at hand. Separately, I note that the new task for the professional visionary was much more simple and more understandable - after a couple of heartbeats in the mirror was reflected slavemancer. The reflection was as it had been before I met him, and the reflection itself was material enough for me to be able to grasp it.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:48

The puppet hand no longer resembles a human hand: eight fingers, an overly large palm, hardly a dozen joints in the most unexpected places, and other Lovecraftian stuff that makes me look like the Slenderman. Too often lately my appearance reminds me of horror movie characters. There's an unhealthy tendency.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 12:49

As soon as I touched the reflection, I pulled it toward me, noting the speed with which the elf recoiled from the image. I'm not really in need of his help now, though. I'm fine on my own. Stealing a shadow, as I said before, is like trying to wrap the thinnest cobweb around me moving so that the cobweb doesn't break. What I am doing now is like spreading a viscous jelly over myself, which in no way wants to cover all the surfaces. It's no fun.

Camrad_RIP 20.10.22 в 13:46

The result, however, was quite satisfactory to me - I looked exactly like the dead Slavemancer, as far as most scanners were concerned. Even the elf girl shuddered, either from horror or from the lust in her brain. When I looked like that, I could think of a way out of this ass. In theory, I could try to make a full-fledged portal through Dream, I could do that, and then I could run to the elven forests and drop the girl off there. And I even have some chance of getting there... alone. What will be left of the passenger will be easier to mourn than to bury according to all the traditions.

Camrad_RIP 23.10.22 в 19:39

But the most important problem preventing this decision will be our location. It is a small and carefully controlled gap in Dream, where most of the power that comes from it goes to disguise our presence, and might not be noticed. If I decide to create a real door, the guards and the rest of the crowd of attendant personalities, not to mention the active defense, will come running in here in a jiffy. So it's a last resort.

Camrad_RIP 23.10.22 в 19:40

"Ok." My voice is the same as the deceased's, but I don't change my vocabulary, because then my masquerade, if not revealed, would be called into question. "The main thing now is to be homicidal."

Camrad_RIP 24.10.22 в 09:25

"I dare to object, Venerable... Kickass." Cautiously, as if communicating with a faulty landmine, the long-eared woman intervened. "Your disguise is excellent, but the manner of communication used by the master... the man you killed was too different from your own."

Camrad_RIP 24.10.22 в 09:26

"I don't get it." I'm making my face as beastly as possible. "Did you just call me a semi-literate goblin?"

Camrad_RIP 24.10.22 в 09:26

Rhetorical question, but I can't and won't resist another joke. I came here to troll and punch you in the face. And lucky for you, bitches, I haven't had enough of the former, and there are other candidates for the latter.

Camrad_RIP 24.10.22 в 09:27

"I beg your pardon, Venerable." The fear of the inadequate creature I am now thought to be is almost palpable, but outwardly she remains the very embodiment of calm and respect. "There was not a tone of contempt in my words..."

Camrad_RIP 24.10.22 в 09:28

"Oh, forget it, ears and boobs." I interrupt the attempt to calm my possible anger and resentment. "Kickass the goblin and that's what he proud of! Because there's no one cooler than a goblin. Well, almost no one."

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 13:21

I think she's going to go crazy, not because of the slavemancer and realm energies, but simply because of my jokes. No, my trolling is average in itself, but in the current environment, and with the Dream coming from me, my jokes are only funny to me. Things are sadder and more disturbing for Eared One now, and so is her father, who was at one time preparing to punch me as hard as he could in an attempt to save his daughter's soul from being devoured by an unpredictable creature.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 17:58

"Then what are your thoughts on my words?" Without showing it, she asks.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 17:59

"It's all elementary!" I'm waving it off. "Kickass just walks silently and looks at everyone like they're shit. That's what Kickass always does, and nobody stops him."

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:15

She processes the input for a few seconds and then gives herself a mental smackdown. Simply because the option I suggested could really work. Or even work with a guarantee. Slavemancer had the high rank and arrogant nature of a refined snob. At most he would nod a greeting, but that was all.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:17

"This could work." Her voice is steady, but there is a timid shadow of hope in her heart for success.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:17

"Worries not. I'm sure something goes wrong anyway." Carefully reassuring my ward.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:18

Well, am I not the very gallantry and care embodied in a fragile human body? Am I not a genius of psychological unloading, capable of calming even the elements themselves? That's just it! Learn how to do it, boys.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:23

This place reminds me not of a military base, but of some very expensive brothel, combined with an elite club and who knows what else. Stucco on all surfaces, expensive carpets that at times even cover the walls, marble, and gilding everywhere the eye can reach. It also has the atmosphere of a place where only the very rich are allowed - everyone is running around like crazy, but without the important guests noticing. I wouldn't have noticed it, either, if it hadn't been for the high perception. The Sphere and other shadow techniques didn't work through the puppet, but the creature I was feeding directly to had very high stamina. In terms of naked endurance, it was far superior to my own body.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:27

The reserve drained away not too fast, but steadily. The elf and his circle helped, and they kept the stable connection between Dream and Reality under control, so I had only to spend my energy on my disguise as a goblin and on fighting against Dream's influence on my mind. The latter gradually intensified, but so far the Price of Humanity held steady and without much excess.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:38

Walking around in two disguises at once was not a pleasure, but as long as there was no need to fight to the death, I could tolerate it for a while. But there were a lot of pranks going on in my head, like, I'll wear a mask under my mask, so I can wear a mask while I'm wearing a mask. With these spy games, you can really go crazy.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:39

So far they don't pay much attention to us, but that's only for now. Later, it will be much harder, and I no longer have the ability to draw more energy quickly. The second breath isn't activated yet, but I'm saving it for last, since wasting this perk at the beginning of the escape is tantamount to losing it. As I pass the next turn, I realize that I can wander around for a long time, and I don't have time to create a full map.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:42

As the two of us walk, the image of the elf and his crew shifts behind us. They flicker in the polished marble of the floor, in the glare of the stained glass windows and the mirrors we encounter. I can't imagine how difficult it is for a Seer right now, but he has managed and not complained. No, I got it, because they had managed to bring him some artifacts which take most of the load. And in general, the elves in that hall pretty much increased - not every day you can squeeze yourself almost direct observation in some very, very protected structure of Sortz, where directly engaged in brainwashing the star blood. I have a feeling that the elves themselves know about this place, if only by hearsay, but they do. And before my arrival, this place was long and diligently searched for by all means. And now they've found it - what a joy.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:45

Even if the rescue operation were to fail, the big-eared ones would still benefit by recouping their efforts. Shit, should I ask them for a share? It's all right if they send me, but what if they say yes? I can't just go and get the reward if I don't want to get burned. It's so complicated these days.

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:49

"Ernest, darling, I see that you have succeeded in your deed after all." My thoughts were interrupted by the sweet, sweet voice of the good-natured fat man, who looked like a little bumpkin. "And I believed, I believed that you could finish it before the end of the decade. Thank you, my friend, thank you. Now we have something to show Mr. Las'Lernod, and he was beginning to lose patience. The young man can't wait to unpack his gift. And his father had asked so much, and promised so much, for the new girl to be prepared as quickly as possible."

Camrad_RIP 26.10.22 в 18:50

The stream of molasses-like words would have buried anyone under it, but I was a little embarrassed by the thirty-sixth level of the bumpkin, as well as the classes of Lord and Intriguer. And the sense of danger tingled unpleasantly because of the presence of two tall and distant-looking enforcers behind him, not a low level either. It tingled-not with death, but at least with trouble for me and death for the pixie.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:15

:...you're all set, aren't you, my boy, you won't let Uncle Mario down?: His tone was gentle, but his eyes were cold and indifferent, like a snake's.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:16

It won't take long to deceive someone like that; he'll suspect something's wrong from the first word he says, as soon as I talks. Even if I fell out of Kirdyk's image, he'd still know he was being tricked, and there was no way I could make it. I could have done the Stone trick of combining shadows and the essence of the murdered man, but I wouldn't stand a chance now. It would have been if I'd been smarter, but I'm Kostik, and I always think with my ass when I do things, and only then do I think about the consequences.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:20

I made the most contemptuous face possible, while simultaneously raising my hand and snapping my fingers. Actually, it's not a trigger, or, rather, it's not a trigger at all, and I've blotted it out of the elf's mind. But I don't need to influence her, because I need to tell her what I'm up to. While I was snapping here, I was letting Dream out around me, too. Only the sharpest eye would have noticed the slight blurring of my surroundings, and it wouldn't have mattered much.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:24

The Dream was singing in my hands, and I was weaving out of it the canvas of what the world should become. My silence, the uncharacteristic movements of the nephew, the general irregularity of the situation, and my incomprehensible premonitions should have pointed out the irregularity of what was happening beforehand. They should have, but they didn't. They did not allow them to notice, did not allow them to connect, for a moment, the obvious facts with each other and come to an equally obvious conclusion.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:33

Instead, all the intriguer's attention was focused on the newly bared breasts of the elven woman, who was smiling happily, boasting in glee about how big her boobs were now and how she could please her new master with them. Right now she would go and please him, proving to him the simple truth that big-eared whores are the coolest whores in the world, and not pathetic short-eared girls trying to beat her in this field. The words flew off her tongue with incredible ease, I didn't even push her, just pointed out the approximate direction of her words, and then the weeks of brainwashing and the captive's composure came into play.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:35

She wanted, really wanted, what she said to be true, but the will of a trained warrior of the elven race allowed for more than that. Had she been able to hear the short and insulting praise of her new tits, she would probably have given herself to her interlocutors - after all, her treatment was just coming to an end. Though she was made a whore, she was not made a whore, loyal to one master only: this effect was planned to be secured by the very last.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:32

But she had her ears sealed, understanding her interlocutor through lip-reading. She had the will to pretend masterfully, balancing on the very edge of switching back into slave mode, but balancing. Not falling.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 19:25